AP US HISTORY 1491-1607

What was the significance of the year 1492 in U.S. history?

It marks the year Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas.

Who were the Native American civilizations present in North America before European contact?

Civilizations included the Aztecs, Incas, and various tribes such as the Iroquois and Pueblo.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

A widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World.

What were the motivations for European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries?

Economic gain, religious conversion, and territorial expansion.

Who was Hernán Cortés?

The Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

What were the primary results of European colonization on Native American populations?

Significant population decline due to disease, warfare, and displacement.

What role did joint-stock companies play in English colonization?

They funded expeditions to the New World and established colonies.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

It divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

What is the encomienda system?

A labor system that granted colonists the right to demand tribute and forced labor from Native Americans.

What state established the first permanent English settlement in North America?

Jamestown, founded in 1607.

What crop became the staple of the Jamestown economy?

Tobacco.

What was the impact of European diseases on Native Americans?

Devastating population declines, as they had no immunity to diseases like smallpox.

What was the main purpose of the Spanish missions in the Americas?

To convert Native Americans to Christianity and integrate them into Spanish culture.

Who was John Smith?

An English soldier and explorer who played a key role in the establishment of Jamestown.

What was the role of fur trading in early European-Native American relations?

Fur trading created economic alliances and conflicts between different groups.

What was the Protestant Reformation's influence on colonization?

It prompted various European powers to establish colonies for religious freedom.

Who were the Puritans?

A group of English Protestants seeking to purify the Church of England and establish a community in New England.

What was two reason for the English interest in establishing colonies?

To relieve population pressures and provide opportunities for the poor.

What was the primary economic activity in New France?

Fur trading.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It established a basis for self-governance in the Plymouth Colony.

What were the primary Spanish explorations in the Americas?

Explorations by Ponce de León, Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro.

What was the mutual impact of European contact with Native Americans?

Cultural exchanges but also violence and exploitation ensued.

Who were the main European powers involved in North American colonization during this period?

Spain, France, England, and the Netherland’s

What was the significance of the St. Augustine settlement?

It is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.

What did the phrase 'Three Sisters' refer to in Native American agriculture?

The cultivation of corn, beans, and squash together.

What was the significance of the Spanish colonization of Florida?

It formed the basis for Spain's claim to territory in North America.

What kind of relations did France have with Native Americans?

Generally more cooperative, focusing on trade and alliances.

What form of labor did the Spanish initially use in their colonies?

Enslaved labor from Native Americans and later African slaves.

How did the arrival of Europeans change the environment of the Americas?

Introduction of new species and ecosystems led to drastic environmental changes.

What role did religion play in the motivations for European colonization?

Many sought to spread Christianity and escape religious persecution.

New England colonies included

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, new Hampshire ,

Middle colonies included

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware

Southern colonies included

Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia